OVERVIEW

Maintenance-Free, Through-Hole Rotary Grounds

  • Provides stable and consistent current delivery
  • Does not require grease, adjustment, or maintenance
  • Unaffected by rotation or total number of revolutions

Meridian Laboratory’s series of through-hole / through-bore rotary grounds are designed with a hole in the center to mount over or onto a shaft, or allow media to pass through the center. They provide a low resistance rotating ground path for electrical current. ROTOCON though-hole rotary grounds provide stable and consistent current delivery with no changes or fluctuation in amperage over time regardless of orientation, total revolutions, or instantaneous speed.

ROTOCON through-hole rotary grounds are offered with a center hole up to 2.50” (63.5mm) in diameter, allowing for a shaft or media such as welding gas, plating solution, and other fluids/gasses to pass through the center.

ROTOCON through-hole rotary grounds are widely used in rotary welding cells, rotary plating processes, and other high current applications which require a consistent rotary ground connection. While called a rotary ground, they can be used for either the power (positive) or the return (ground) circuit without any change in performance or longevity.

ROTOCON through-hole rotary grounds are offered in a variety of amperage ratings and hole diameters to meet your requirements. Additionally, Meridian Laboratory can design and deliver custom rotary grounds to meet your exact specifications in a cost and time efficient manner.

Advantages

Why Choose ROTOCON Through-Hole Rotary Grounds?

CONSISTENT CURRENT PROVIDES BETTER RESULTS

ROTOCON through-hole rotary grounds provide a low-resistance connection between stationary and rotating elements of an application. Their innovative design eliminates conduction through metal-on-metal contact and ensures current delivery does not fluctuate over time or during rotation. This guarantees better process consistency for high current applications.

  • No metal-on-metal contact
  • < 0.03 milliohm resistance, stationary or rotating
  • Dependable current delivery while stationary, indexing, and rotating
  • Reduced defect rate from stable current without fluctuation
  • 110 grade copper ensures optimal electrical contact for maximum performance

MAINTENANCE FREE THROUGH-HOLE ROTARY GROUNDS

ROTOCON through-hole rotary grounds do not require maintenance of any kind. When used properly, they can provide unparalleled longevity and reliability, regardless of orientation and duty cycle. They provide a fast return on investment from the savings gained in eliminating downtime due to maintenance, the replacement of existing conventional rotary grounds, and reduced scrapped product due to manufacturing inconsistencies.

  • Do not require grease, adjustment, cleaning, or brush replacement
  • Frequently surpass 500 million total revolutions
  • Maximizes ROI from reduced downtime, scrap, and replacement rotary ground savings

ROTARY UNION + ROTARY GROUND IN ONE ASSEMBLY

Meridian Laboratory offers standalone solutions that allow for a high current ground circuit and gas or media to rotate together. This is commonly used for shielding gasses in rotary welding applications and plating solutions for electroplating processes. ROTOCON through-hole rotary grounds with rotary unions are available in off-the-shelf configurations to meet your exact needs.

  • Added capability of shielding gasses or media combined with electrical rotary ground in single assembly
  • Single source provider simplifies process of design and procurement

ROTARY GROUNDS DESIGNED FOR MANUFACTURING AND HARSH ENVIRONMENTS

ROTOCON through-hole rotary grounds are designed to be used in demanding industrial and manufacturing applications. They are made from durable materials that withstand the welding, plating, and cutting environments they are used within. This makes ROTOCON through-hole rotary grounds the ideal choice for semi or fully automated processes that demand long term consistency and reliability.

  • Rotocon through-hole rotary grounds feature corrosion resistant 304 ss and high conductivity 110 copper
  • Through-hole rotary grounds are environmentally sealed**for exact ingress protection ratings, see product specific pages

General Specifications

ERGT Series Rotary Ground Specifications

Mounting Icon

MOUNTING

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Through-Hole or Flange

Flange Mounting: A selection of standard mounting flanges are available, with the option of Meridian Laboratory providing a custom-sized mounting flange to meet application-specific requirements.

BORE DIAMETER

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Up to 2.5”⌀ (63.5mm) Standard

ERGT Series rotary grounds feature a hole diameter rating of up to 2.50” ⌀, providing flexibility for mounting onto solid or hollow shafts to meet your exact specification.

TEMPERATURE

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-4°F to 160°F

(-20°C to 70°C)

Temperature rating is measured at the body of the ROTOCON slip ring under maximum current load and rotational speed; it should not exceed 160˚F for continuous periods of time. For application specific scenarios, please contact Meridian Laboratory.

Configurations

ERGT Series Standard Models






      You are requesting a custom model, please fill out the information below, and we will be in contact within 24 hours.

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      FAQs

      Common Through-Bore Rotary Ground Questions

      Does conductive grease need to be applied when installing a ROTOCON rotary ground?

      No. The application of grease of any kind, including conductive grease, between the conductive shaft or mating surfaces and the ROTOCON rotary ground is not advised. Meridian Laboratory recommends cleaning and degreasing both the mating surfaces and rotary ground prior to installation. If surface oxide is present on either component, light abrasion with 320 grit sandpaper or Scotch-Brite© Heavy Duty Green pads (or equivalent product) is recommended to ensure a robust electrical contact.

      Can I specify an exact bore diameter for a through-hole ROTOCON?

      Yes, customers are able to specify custom bore diameters up to 4.00” for our through-hole, multi-channel MXT Series of brushless slip rings and up to 2.50” for our through-bore, single-contact ERGT Series of rotary grounds. If you do not see a hole diameter that meets your requirements, please contact us for further assistance.

      Does Meridian Laboratory offer a through-hole ROTOCON in sizes greater than 4.00”?

      Currently Meridian Laboratory does not offer any ROTOCON rotary electrical connectors or rotary grounds with a through-hole bore diameter greater than 4.00”. If you require a larger bore diameter, contact us for application support on how we can potentially still help you integrate a ROTOCON into your assembly.

      What is the expected lifespan of a ROTOCON rotary ground?

      ROTOCON rotary grounds are built to provide reliable, uninterrupted electrical contact over an extended operational lifespan, frequently surpassing 500 million revolutions without requiring cleaning, conductive grease, or brush maintenance. Our designs emphasize long-term performance and dependability, using carefully selected materials and components to ensure a robust, maintenance-free solution.

      How often is maintenance required for a ROTOCON?

      Never. Once installed, ROTOCON brushless slip rings are engineered for continuous operation throughout their entire lifespan. Their brushless design not only ensures industry-leading signal quality, but also eliminates wear points and common failure modes found in traditional brushed slip rings.

      Which section of the rotary ground is electrically “live”?

      The entire ROTOCON rotary ground is electrically “live,” meaning there is no electrical insulation between the shaft and the body of the unit. For more information surrounding this topic, please contact us for application-specific assistance.

      APPLICATIONS & USES

      Common Uses for Through-Hole Rotary Grounds

      ROTARY WELDING

      ROTOCON through-hole rotary grounds are used in rotary welding applications which rotate the workpiece. This includes pipe, tube, and metal structure manufacturing processes. They eliminate tangled cables and provide consistent current without blow through or poor penetration.

      ROTARY PLATING & DEPOSITION

      ROTOCON through-hole rotary grounds are frequently used in rotational plating operations which demand stable current to ensure consistency throughout the entire process. They are sealed and built with corrosion resistant materials to withstand the harsh environments.

      ROTARY CUTTING

      ROTOCON through-hole rotary grounds are commonly used for rotary cutting applications and provide stable current flow for plasma cutting in fully or semi-automated applications. They provide a maintenance-free rotary ground to ensure maximum efficiency without downtime.

      Industries

      Industries that use ROTOCON Through-Hole Rotary Grounds

      Heavy industries with advanced machinery and equipment

      Heavy Industries

      Applications

      • Rotational Tank and Vessel Manufacturing
      • Rotary Welding Positioners
      • Metal Plasma Cutting
      • Automated Weld Cells
      Semiconductor technology and equipment

      Semiconductor

      Applications

      • RF Sputtering Deposition
      • PCB Material Manufacturing
      • High Frequency Wafer Processing
      • Plasma Etching & Functionalization
      Manufacturing and production facilities with advanced machinery

      Manufacturing & Production

      Applications

      • Battery Manufacturing
      • 3D Metal Printing
      • Metal Tube & Pipe Fabrication
      • Electroplating
      • Wire & Cable Manufacturing

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      Resources

      Helpful Information

      Get the details you need, explore our complete resource library on every slip ring series.